Image forming apparatus having a function of adjusting an image formation condition

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus receives a command from a controller for issuing commands representative of a plurality of kinds of instruction, and executes an image formation according to the command. The image forming apparatus includes a necessity judgment unit, which judges a necessity of an adjustment of an image formation condition based on a state of an inside of the apparatus, and a control unit, which transmits to the controller a request for executing the adjustment of the image formation condition based on a judgment of the necessity judgment unit, and factor information according to a factor of the request for executing the adjustment of the image formation condition. The controller performs an issue control of an execution command for instructing an execution of the adjustment of the image formation condition based on the request for executing the adjustment of the image formation condition and a kind of the factor information transmitted from the control unit.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/760,296, filed Jan. 21, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.7,424,239.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and acontrol method for the same. More specifically, the invention relates toan image forming apparatus having a function of adjusting an imageformation condition according to a change with time or an environmentalchange, and a control method for the same.

2. Related Background Art

Up to now, image forming apparatuses adopting an electrophotographicsystem etc., such as a printer and a copying machine perform imageformation as follows. That is, a surface of a uniformly charged imagebearing member is exposed to light by an exposing apparatus to form anelectrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image on the imagebearing member is developed with a toner to form a toner image. Thetoner image is transferred from the image bearing member onto arecording material such as recording paper. The toner image on therecording material is then applied with heat and pressure and fixed ontothe recording material.

Here, each process for the image formation is appropriately controlledby control means provided inside the image forming apparatus and havinga processor and input/output terminals for a signal.

A case of forming a multi-color image with the above image formingapparatus is assumed. A high voltage unit is provided in the apparatus,which is for applying a developing bias to a developing unit fordeveloping the electrostatic latent image and a transfer bias to atransfer-charger according to the number of times the image istransferred in respective colors. The control means turns ON/OFF thehigh voltage unit in turn according to image formation cycles inmultiple colors, thereby forming the multi-color image.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrative of a printer control mechanism ofthe printer as the image forming apparatus.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 3 denotes a video signal; 4, a drivingcircuit; 5, a laser driving signal; 6, an activation signal; 7, a biascontrol means; 8, a bias signal for transferring, developing, etc.; 18;a video interface; 20, a control unit; 52, a printing sequence signal;54, a printing means; 55, an actuator driving signal; 81, a notificationmeans; 83, a printing sequence control means; 100, a printer controlcircuit; 110, a printer controller; 120, a printer engine; 121, anexposing apparatus; 122; a high voltage unit; and 123, a conveyancemeans etc.

As shown in FIG. 8, the printer control circuit 100 is electricallyconnected with the printer controller 110 for processing image data etc.or processing internal information of the printer etc.

At the time of forming the image, a multi-color image signal istransmitted from the printer controller 110 to the printer controlcircuit 100. The control unit 20 provided inside the printer controlcircuit 100 then generates the video signal 3 according to thetransmitted image signal and outputs the signal to the driving circuit4.

The driving circuit 4 is used for driving a semiconductor laser andallowed to output the laser driving signal 5 to the exposing apparatus121.

Also, the printing means 54 connected to the control unit 20 outputs theactuator driving signal 55 for driving actuators such as a motor, aclutch, and a solenoid, according to the printing sequence signal 52from the control unit 20 or sensor information, thereby actuating theconveyance means etc. 123 for conveying the recording paper.

The control unit 20 outputs a first video signal and a second videosignal generated according to the multi-color image signal via thedriving circuit 4 to form a first electrostatic latent image and asecond electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member (notshown). At the same time, the control unit outputs the activation signal6 to the bias control means 7.

In response to the activation signal, the bias control means 7 outputsthe bias signal 8 to the high voltage unit 122 used for a transfer ordevelopment operation according to the activation signal, with which theelectrostatic latent image is developed and the toner image istransferred onto the recording paper. Thus, the multi-color image can beformed.

Further, the printing sequence control means 83 connected to the controlunit 20 sends to the control unit 20 a printing sequence for processingaccompanied with the detection of information on an open/close state ofa printer cover or for a normal print operation.

Also, the notification means 81 connected to the control unit 20notifies the printer controller 110 of the information of the printerengine 120 at the image formation time as a status, via the videointerface 18 connecting between the printer control circuit 100 and theprinter controller 110.

Next, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, signals of the video interface 18 aredescribed.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the signals of the video interface in detail.

In particular, FIG. 9 shows typical signals transferred between theprinter controller 110 and the printer control circuit 100.

In the figures, symbol “/” prefixed to an abbreviation code for eachsignal name means that the signal is a negative logic signal.

Printer power ready signal “/PPRDY”: a signal indicating that a printerapparatus is ready to communicate after being initialized etc. throughpower-on. The signal is transmitted from the printer control circuit 100to the printer controller 110.

Controller power ready signal “/CPRDY”: a signal indicating that theprinter controller 110 is ready to communicate after being initializedetc. through power-on. The signal is transmitted from the printercontroller 110 to the printer control circuit 100.

Ready signal “/RDY”: a signal indicating that a print operation isallowed to start in response to a signal “/PRNT” requesting theapparatus to start the print operation as described below. The signal istransmitted from the printer control circuit 100 to the printercontroller 110. This signal can be set to “truth” with the proviso thateach portion of the printer normally operates, for example, an innertemperature of a fixing apparatus reaches a predetermined temperature;no recording paper remains inside the printer; or a polygon mirrorrotates at a given speed.

Print signal “/PRNT”: the signal requesting the apparatus to start orcontinue the print operation. The signal is transmitted from the printercontroller 110 to the printer control circuit 100.

Top of page signal “/TOP”: a synchronization signal as a reference forvertical scanning of the image. The signal is output from the printercontrol circuit 100 a certain time period after the signal “/PRNT” isoutput from the printer controller 110.

Line synchronization signal “/LSYNC”: a synchronization signal as areference for horizontal scanning of the image. The signal is, similarlyto the signal “/TOP”, output from the printer control circuit 100 acertain time period after the signal “/PRNT” is output from the printercontroller 110.

Video clock signal “/VCLK”: a synchronous clock synchronized withsignals “/VDOEN” and “/VDO” described below. The signal is generated bythe printer controller 110.

Image enable signal “/VDOEN”: a signal for inputting the image signal“/VDO” output from the printer controller 110 to the printer controlcircuit 100. The printer control circuit 100 detects whether the signal“/VDOEN” is set to truth or false in synchronization with the signal“/VCLK”, and inputs the image signal “/VDO” in the case of truth butdoes not input the image signal “/VDO” in the case of false.

Image signal “/VDO”: image data output from the printer controller 110and synchronized with the signal “/VCLK” with the signal “/TOP” as areference (in a vertical direction of the image) and with the signal“LSYNC” as a reference (in a horizontal direction thereof). Thus, thesignal “/VDO” is output.

Controller clock signal “/CCLK”: a command serial-transferred from theprinter controller 110 to the printer control circuit 100 and asynchronous clock for a status serial-transferred to the printercontroller 110 from the printer control circuit 100. The signal isoutput from the printer controller 110.

Command signal “/CMD”: a signal used for the printer controller 110 toserial-transfer the information to the printer control circuit 100, theinformation being called the “command”.

Command busy signal “/CBSY”: a signal indicating to the printer controlcircuit 100 that the printer controller 110 serial-transfers the commandusing the signal “/CMD”.

Status signal “/STS”: a signal used for the printer control circuit 100to serial-transfer the information to the printer controller 110, theinformation being called the “status”.

Status busy “/SBSY”: a signal indicating to the printer controller 110that the printer control circuit 100 serial-transfers the status usingthe signal “/STS”.

Condition change notification “/CCRT”: a signal for notifying theprinter controller 110 that the status inside the printer changes. Theprinter controller 110 issues, after receiving the signal, the commandfor inquiring of the printer control circuit 100 which condition ischanged on the printer engine 120 side, using the signal “/CMD”. Theprinter control circuit 100 replies to the command using the signal“/STS”.

The signal “/CCRT” is inverted to truth when any change occurs in theprinter condition previously designated by the printer controller 110.

Other signals such as speed change “/SPCHG”, paper delivery “/PDLV”, andtop of paper “/TOPR” are also cited.

Next, referring to FIG. 11, a timing of each signal at the time of usingthe signal “/CCRT” is described.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing an example of a timing of each signalat the time of using the signal “/CCRT”.

FIG. 11 shows a case where the signal “CCRT” is set to truth when theprinter controller 110 sends the signal “/CMD” indicating “no sheet”,for instance.

In this case, for example, if only one recording sheet remains in arecording paper cassette but the printer controller 110 makes a requestthat two sheets are printed, the first sheet may be printed withoutfail; however, at the beginning of the image formation for the secondsheet, the printer control circuit 100 detects the condition change,i.e., “no sheet” and changes the signal “/CCRT” from false to truth asshown in FIG. 11.

As soon as the printer controller 110 detects that the signal “/CCRT” ischanged to truth, the controller performs the following operation inorder to ascertain which feeding cassette comes into the condition of“no sheet”. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the controller changes thesignal “/CBSY” to truth and issues the command that requests the printercontrol circuit 100 to send the status indicating whether or not therecording paper remains in the feeding cassette using the signal “/CMD”.As shown in FIG. 11, in response to the command, the printer controlcircuit 100 changes the signal “/SBSY” to truth and sends the statusindicating whether or not the recording paper remains in the recordingpaper cassette using the signal “/STS”.

Note that, the state of the signal “/CCRT” is cleared to false at atiming where the signal “/SBSY” is changed to truth, which indicatesthat the status is transferred.

Next, referring to FIG. 12, the transfer of the command/status betweenthe printer controller 110 and the printer control circuit 100 isdescribed.

FIG. 12 is a sequence chart showing a transfer example of thecommand/status between the printer controller 110 and the printercontrol circuit 100 on the assumption that a color image is formed.

When the printer is instructed to start the print operation, the printercontroller 110 performs image processing etc. while issuing a command tothe printer control circuit 100 to check whether or not the printer isin a ready condition.

Subsequently, the controller issues a command to designate the feedingcassette and further, a command to request a desired size of therecording paper received in the designated feeding cassette.

Next, the printer controller 110 issues a command to designate a desireddischarge port, a page mode designation command to designate a desirednumber of pages for image formation, and a command to designate eithermonochrome or color image formation. Thus, the designation is completedfor all items.

The printer control circuit 100 replies to a series of commands andsends the corresponding status.

After that, the printer controller 110 generates the signal “/PRNT”. Inresponse to the signal, the printer control circuit 100 returns thesignal “/TOP” after a predetermined time period.

The signal “/VDO” synchronous with the signal “/TOP” in the verticalscanning and with the signal “/LSYNC” in the horizontal scanning issynchronized with the signal “/VCLK” and transferred to the printercontrol circuit 100.

Note that if the color mode is set, the signal “/TOP” requests theprinter to start forming an image for each color component. Therefore,if the signal “/TOP” is generated four times, the image in four colorsC, M, Y, and K can be formed.

After the final signal “/TOP” is generated, the printer controller 110restores the signal “/PRNT” to false.

From the above, the printer control circuit 100 detects that therequested print operation is completed. The processing is shifted topost-processing such as cleaning of each portion.

On the other hand, the recording paper onto which the toner image istransferred is discharged from the designated discharge port afterpassing through a fixing roller.

Finally, the printer controller 110 confirms, based on the status sentfrom the printer control circuit 100 that the conveyance (discharge) ofthe recording paper is completed.

When the discharge completion is confirmed, a print job is finished,allowing the printer controller 110 to wait for a next print request ina ready condition.

During the above print operation, if illegal conditions occur, forexample, the recording paper is jammed or used up, or users open theprinter apparatus cover, the printer control circuit 100 immediatelynotifies the printer controller 110 that the printer is in an abnormalcondition using the signal “/CCRT”.

Then, the printer controller 110 identifies the generated abnormalityfrom the status sent in response to the command and conducts theprocessing according to the abnormality.

In the above printer engine 120, in particular, printer engine foroutputting the color image, a density of an output image or a densitybalance is gradually varied along with an increase in the number ofoutput sheets or according to an environmental change, although thevariation is not suddenly caused.

Similarly, regarding a color misregistration of the formed image, aphase shift of a developing drum, or the like, the conditions for theimage formation are not always optimum depending on whether or not theuser exchanges the cartridge, the environmental change, the change withtime, or other factors.

Thus, by monitoring whether or not the cartridge is exchanged, theelapsed time, the number of output sheets, and the environmental change,those conditions for the image formation are adjusted to optimum ones(see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-29092, for example).

Hereinafter, the sequence of judging whether to execute thoseadjustments or not by the printer engine 120 and the printer controller110 is explained while focusing on a density control by way of example.

The printer engine 120 capable of outputting the color image cannotoutput an appropriate image particularly at the time of forming thecolor image, unless the color components Y, M, C, and K used for theimage formation are well-balanced in density.

The reason the density balance is lost is that a residual charge of aphotosensitive member increases due to the repetitive image formation orthat a humidity and a temperature of the environment surrounding theapparatus are changed, for instance. Under the conditions in an initialapplication range, the appropriate image formation cannot be performed.

To cope therewith, a change of some factors whereby the density balanceis lost is detected to make a control for keeping densities in balance.

Examples of the factor as a detection target include: factors“continuous rest time in a stand-by condition”, “the number ofdischarged recording sheets” (hereinafter, referred to as “accumulatedsheets number” in some cases), and “the number of images formed on anintermediate transfer member” (hereinafter, referred to as “accumulatedimages number” in some cases), all of which are detected by a CPU (notshown) mounted to the printer control circuit 100; and a change intemperature or humidity detected by the CPU (in the printer controlcircuit 100) monitoring the input from an environmental sensor disposedinside the printer apparatus.

Next, referring to FIG. 13, a judgement of whether to control thedensity or not by the printer control circuit 100 is explained.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control sequence for judging whether tocontrol the density or not by the printer control circuit 100. The CPUin the printer control circuit 100 executes the sequence, which alwaysmonitors the change of the factors as the detection target.

In step S161, judgement is made of whether or not the accumulated sheetsnumber/accumulated images number reached a predetermined value at whichthe density control execution was necessary; in step S162, judgement ismade of whether or not the continuous rest time reached a predeterminedvalue at which the density control execution was necessary. In stepS163, the judgement is made of whether or not the change inenvironmental condition such as a temperature or a humidity reached thelevel at which the density control execution was necessary.

If it is judged that the density control is necessary, the printercontrol circuit 100 notifies the printer controller 110 that it isnecessary to execute the density control using the signals “/CCRT” and“/STS” (step S164).

Next, in step S165, the printer control circuit waits for an instructionto execute the density control from the printer controller 110 andstarts the density control in step S166 immediately after receiving theinstruction.

In general, employed are the plural factors whereby the judgement ismade of whether to perform various adjustments or not. In some cases,the factors are classified into two types: a factor whereby theadjustment is judged indispensable in order to meet a specificationregarding the output image quality; and a factor whereby the adjustmentis optionally judged necessary for the purpose of setting the optimumimage formation conditions at the time to further improve the outputimage quality.

Meanwhile, as exemplified above, the judgement is made of whether toexecute the various adjustments or not inside the printer controlcircuit. Thus, the printer controller 110 cannot guess which factorsuggests the necessity of the adjustment.

Therefore, when the printer control circuit 100 notifies the printercontroller 110 that it is necessary to execute the adjustment accordingto the above sequence, the printer controller 110 instructs the printercontrol circuit to execute the necessary adjustment without fail.

In general, the execution sequence of the adjustments requires severaltens of seconds to several minutes, during which the user cannot obtaina print output.

As a result, the adjustment sequence is executed, which is unnecessaryfor the user who demands a high image output speed or response speedrather than the high output image quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in the light of the above-mentionedproblems and has an object to provide an image forming apparatus and acontrol method for the same, with which an adjustment for satisfying animage quality is performed without fail while an execution frequency ofthe adjustment can be changed, for example, an unnecessary adjustmentcan be skipped depending on user-established conditions.

Hereinbelow, a feature of the present invention is described.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an image formingapparatus includes: a controller for issuing commands representative ofa plurality of kinds of instruction; an engine for executing imageformation according to the command; a control portion for holding acondition status indicating an internal condition of the engine and afactor status indicating a factor of the condition status, or the factorstatus and notifying, in response to the command, the condition statusand the factor status, or the factor status; and judgement means forjudging whether to adjust an image formation condition of the engine ornot according to the condition status and the factor status, or thefactor status.

In further aspect of the image forming apparatus, the control portionfurther holds a priority status indicating a priority of the factor, andthe judgement means judges whether to adjust the image formationcondition of the engine or not according to the condition status, thefactor status, and the priority status, or the factor status and thepriority status.

According to another aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatusincludes: a controller for issuing a plurality of commands; an enginefor executing image formation according to the command; a controlportion for holding a condition status indicating an internal conditionof the engine and notifying the controller of the condition status inresponse to the command; necessity judgement means for judging whetherto adjust an image formation condition of the engine or not based on thecondition status; and adjustment means for adjusting the image formationcondition of the engine, and in the image forming apparatus, the controlportion holds a factor status by which, when the necessity judgementmeans judges that a necessity is admitted for an adjustment of the imageformation condition, whether or not the necessity involves immediateadjustment is judged and which indicates a factor of the conditionstatus.

In further aspect of the image forming apparatus, the controllerincludes adjustment execution judgement means for judging whether or notthe necessity involves the immediate adjustment based on the factorstatus, and when the adjustment execution judgement means judges thatthe necessity involves the immediate adjustment, the controller issuesan adjustment execution command to the adjustment means.

In further aspect of the image forming apparatus, the control portionholds a priority status indicating a priority regarding the adjustmentexecution of the image formation condition according to each factor.

In further aspect of the image forming apparatus, the adjustmentexecution judgement means judges that the immediate adjustment isnecessary when the priority of the factor regarding the necessity ishigher than a predetermined value.

In further aspect of the image forming apparatus, the image formationcondition is related to a density control of an image.

In further aspect of the image forming apparatus, the image formationcondition is related to a color component balance of a color image.

In further aspect of the image forming apparatus, the image formationcondition is related to a color misregistration amount of a color image.

In further aspect of the image forming apparatus, the image formationcondition is related to a shift amount of drum phases in multiple colorsof a color image.

According to another aspect of the invention, a control method for animage forming apparatus, includes: notifying a condition statusindicating an internal condition of an engine and a factor statusindicating a factor of the condition status, or the factor status; andjudging whether to adjust an image formation condition of the engine ornot according to the notified condition status and factor status, or thenotified factor status.

According to another aspect of the invention, a control method for animage forming apparatus, includes: notifying a condition statusindicating an internal condition of an engine, a factor statusindicating a factor of the condition status, and a priority statusindicating a priority of the factor, or the factor status and thepriority status; and judging whether to adjust an image formationcondition of the engine or not according to the notified conditionstatus, factor status, and priority status, or the notified factorstatus and priority status.

According to another aspect of the invention, a control method for animage forming apparatus, includes: issuing a plurality of commands usinga controller; notifying a condition status indicating an internalcondition of an engine in response to the command; judging whether toadjust an image formation condition of the engine or not based on thecondition status; and notifying a factor status by which, when anecessity is judged admittable for an adjustment of the image formationcondition, whether or not the necessity involves immediate adjustment isjudged and which indicates a factor of the condition status.

In further aspect of the control method for an image forming apparatus,the control method further includes: judging whether or not thenecessity involves the immediate adjustment based on the factor statusand executing the adjustment when the necessity is judged to involve theimmediate adjustment.

In further aspect of the control method for an image forming apparatus,the control method further includes: notifying, when the necessity isjudged admittable for the adjustment of the image formation condition, apriority status indicating a priority regarding adjustment execution ofthe image formation condition according to each factor.

In further aspect of the control method for an image forming apparatus,the control method further includes: judging that the immediateadjustment is necessary when the priority of the factor regarding thenecessity is higher than a predetermined value.

In further aspect of the control method for an image forming apparatus,the image formation condition is related to a density control of animage.

In further aspect of the control method for an image forming apparatus,the image formation condition is related to a color component balance ofa color image.

In further aspect of the control method for an image forming apparatus,the image formation condition is related to a color misregistrationamount of a color image.

In further aspect of the control method for an image forming apparatus,the image formation condition is related to a shift amount of drumphases in multiple colors of a color image.

That is, when notifying a controller that the adjustment is necessary,an engine notifies the controller of a factor whereby the adjustment isjudged necessary, or the factor whereby the adjustment is judgednecessary and a factor priority thereof as a status of the engine tothereby achieve the above-mentioned object.

Other objects, structures, and effects of the preset invention will beapparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is comprised of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C showing conceptual diagramsof a status regarding whether to execute an adjustment or not in animage forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control sequence regarding a judgementas to whether to execute a density control or not and execution thereofin a control circuit of the image forming apparatus according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control sequence regarding a judgementas to whether to issue an instruction to execute a density control ornot in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control sequence regarding a judgementas to whether to execute a density control or not and execution thereofin an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is comprised of FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C showing conceptual diagramsof a status regarding whether to execute an adjustment or not in theimage forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control sequence regarding a judgementas to whether to issue an instruction to execute a density control ornot in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a table example illustrative of a correspondence between afactor whereby it is necessary to execute the density control and afactor priority thereof in the image forming apparatus according to thesecond embodiment of the preset invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrative of a printer control mechanism ofa printer as the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 9 shows signals of a video interface in detail;

FIG. 10 shows the signals of the video interface in detail;

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing an example of a timing of each signalin the case of using a signal “/CCRT”;

FIG. 12 is a sequence chart showing a transfer example of acommand/status between a printer controller and a printer controlcircuit; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control sequence regarding a judgementas to whether to execute a density control or not in a printer controlcircuit in a conventional example.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, 2, 3, and 8, a first embodiment of thepresent invention is described.

A structure of the first embodiment is almost the same as in aconventional example and thus is described referring to FIG. 8.

Note that the same components are denoted by the same reference numeralsand detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a printer control circuit as a controlportion.

The printer control circuit 100 includes a CPU (not shown) as necessityjudgement means in a control unit 20.

Here, the necessity judgement means is not limited to the CPU but may beprovided independently of the control unit 20 or the control portion100.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a printer controller as a controller.

The printer controller 110 includes a CPU (not shown) that doubles asjudgement means and adjustment execution judgement means and adjustmentmeans (not shown).

Here, the judgement means or the adjustment execution judgement means isnot limited to the CPU but may be provided independently of the printercontroller 110.

Further, the adjustment means (not shown) may be provided independentlyof the printer controller 110.

Reference numeral 120 denotes a printer engine as an engine.

FIGS. 1A to 1C are a conceptual diagram of a status regarding whether toexecute the adjustment or not among information of conditions(hereinafter, referred to as statuses) of the printer engine 120 storedin a storage device (not shown) such as a RAM in the printer controlcircuit 100.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control sequence regarding a judgementas to whether to execute a density control or not and execution thereofusing the printer control circuit 100 in the image forming apparatusaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention. The sequenceis executed by the CPU (not shown) in the printer control circuit 100that monitors a change of a factor as a detection target all the time.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control sequence regarding a judgementas to whether to issue an instruction to execute a density control ornot using the printer controller 110. The sequence is executed by theCPU (not shown) in the printer controller 110.

Here, denoted by S30 is a condition status indicating which type ofadjustment the printer engine 120 requires to be executed at this time.

Denoted by S31 and S32 are factor statuses indicating which factor isused for judgement as to whether to execute a density control or colormisregistration amount measurement or not.

Hereinbelow, the control sequence regarding the judgement as to whetherto execute the density control or not and the execution thereof will bedescribed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU (not shown) in the printer control circuit100 first judges, in step S261, whether or not the density control wasexecuted after the power to the printer turned on and judges that it isnecessary to execute the density control if the control was not executedat all. Then, processing advances to step S268.

In step S262, the CPU judges whether or not the density control wasexecuted after the printer returned from a sleep state to a normalstand-by state and judges that it is necessary to execute the densitycontrol if the control was not executed at all. Then, the processingadvances to step S268.

In step S263, the CPU judges whether or not an accumulated sheetsnumber/accumulated images number reached a predetermined value at whichthe density control execution was necessary. If the value was reached,the processing advances to step S268.

In step S264, the CPU judges whether or not a continuous rest timereached a predetermined value at which the density control execution wasnecessary. If the value was reached, the processing advances to stepS268.

In step S265, the CPU judges whether or not a change of environmentalconditions such as a temperature or humidity reached a predeterminedlevel at which the density control execution was necessary. If the levelwas reached, the processing advances to step S268.

Further, in step S266, the CPU judges whether or not the number ofsheets printed after mounting of a new cartridge reached a predeterminednumber of sheets at which the density control execution was necessary.If it reached the predetermined number of sheets, the processingadvances to step S268.

In step S267, the CPU judges whether or not the cartridge was exchangedand, if exchanged, judges that it is necessary to execute the densitycontrol since the control was not executed at all after the exchange.The processing advances to step S268.

In step S267, if the cartridge was not exchanged, the progressingreturns back to step S261.

In any of steps S261 to S267, when it is judged that the density controlexecution is necessary, in step S268, a bit corresponding to the factorwhereby the density control is necessary in the density controlexecution request-factor status S31 shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C are set totruth. Subsequently, in step S269, the CPU notifies the printercontroller 110 that it is necessary to execute the density control usingthe signals “/CCRT” and “/STS”.

Next, in step S270, the CPU waits for the printer controller 110 toissue an instruction to execute the density control (adjustmentexecution command) and starts the density control using the adjustmentmeans (not shown) immediately after the density control execution(adjustment execution command) was instructed (step S271).

On the other hand, in step S401, as shown in FIG. 3, the CPU (not shown)of the printer controller 110 judges whether or not the notification tothe effect that it is necessary to execute the density control wasreceived. When the notification to that effect was received, theprocessing advances to step S402; otherwise the control sequenceregarding the judgement as to whether to issue an instruction to executethe density control or not is ended.

In step S402, it is confirmed whether or not an image quality prioritymode is set to the printer at this time.

When the image quality priority mode is set, the processing advances tostep S405 regardless of which factor suggests the necessity of thedensity control execution. In step S405, an execution command fordensity control (adjustment execution command) is surely sent.

Note that, the image quality priority mode may be set arbitrarily by theuser with a printer setting panel or with driver setting on a hostcomputer side.

If the image quality priority mode is not set, the processing advancesto step S403 where the CPU requests the printer control circuit 100 toreturn the “density control execution request-factor status S31” andreceives the status.

The processing then advances to step S404 where it is judged whether ornot a bit for execution indispensable factor of the “density controlexecution request-factor status S31” is truth.

If the bit for execution indispensable factor of the “density controlexecution request-factor status S31” is truth, the processing advancesto step S405, whereas if the bit is false, the control sequenceregarding whether to issue an instruction to execute the density controlor not is ended.

More specifically, in step S403, the factor whereby it is necessary toexecute the density control is acquired from the received “densitycontrol execution request-factor status S31”, and it is judged whetheror not the density control execution is indispensable at the presentmoment for meeting the specification regarding the output image qualityin step S404.

For example, assuming the specification that “the image quality cannotbe guaranteed unless the density control is executed upon exchanging thecartridge”, if the 9th bit (density control execution request at CRGexchange) of the “density control execution request-factor status S31”is truth, the CPU (not shown) of the printer controller 110 judges thatit is indispensable to execute the density control.

Alternatively, assuming the specification that “the density control isdesirably executed after a certain time period elapses”, if the 4th bit(density control execution request at a certain elapsed time) of the“density control execution request-factor status S31” is truth but theimage quality priority mode is not set, the CPU (not shown) of theprinter controller 110 judges that it is unnecessary to execute thedensity control at the present moment.

Needless to say, the case is conceivable in which the plural bits of the“density control execution request-factor status S31” are truth.However, any of the bits correspond to the density control executionindispensable factors, the CPU judges that it is necessary to executethe density control.

In step S404, when it is judged that the density control execution isnecessary, the CPU sends an execution command for density control(adjustment execution command) to the printer control circuit 100 instep S405.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the printerengine 120 requires the adjustment execution, the CPU (not shown) of theprinter controller 110 is notified of the factor statuses S31 and S32that indicate which factor suggests the necessity of the adjustmentexecution concerned. Consequently, the CPU (not shown) of the printercontroller 110 can make a selection as to whether to issue aninstruction to execute the adjustment or not at that point.

Accordingly, an image forming apparatus and a control method for thesame can be provided, with which while satisfying the image quality atthe minimum level, the adjustment execution frequency can be set by theuser. For example, when the user sets the mode to the output imagequality priority mode, the adjustment is executed without fail each timeit is notified that the adjustment execution is necessary; otherwise theadjustment execution is not instructed unless being indispensable, evenwhen it is notified that the adjustment execution is necessary.

Note that in this embodiment, the description has been made of thejudgements as to whether to execute the density control inclusive ofdensity reproduction or not and whether to issue an instruction toexecute the density control or not. Needless to say, however, the sameis applicable to a color component balance of a color image, colormisregistration amount (shift amount of drum phases in respective colorsof the color image) measurement, or other adjustments.

Also, the structure concerning the factors that suggest the necessity ofthe execution of the various adjustments and concerning which factorserves as the adjustment execution indispensable factor as described inthis embodiment is only a structure example of the image formingapparatus of this embodiment. The above may be varied according to thestructure of the image forming apparatus to which the present inventionis applied.

Also, the image quality priority mode in this embodiment is adopted byway of example in this embodiment; there may include the settings on theimage quality and the execution frequency of the various adjustmentsprogrammed by the user or with the printer controller 110 or the printerengine 120.

Also, in this embodiment, the case of judging whether to execute theadjustment of the image formation conditions or not using the conditionstatus S30 and the factor statuses S31 and S32 has been described.However, the present invention is not limited thereto but it is possibleto judge whether to execute the adjustment or not only using the factorstatuses S31 and S32.

For example, a table showing a correspondence between the factorstatuses S31 and S32 and the required adjustments is prepared in advancein the printer controller 110 etc., so that the above can be attained.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the mode has been described in which thefactors whereby it is judged necessary to execute the variousadjustments are held as the factor statuses S31 and S32 and it is judgedwhether or not the adjustment execution is indispensable according tothe factor.

In a second embodiment, regarding the factor statuses S31 and S32 forthe factors whereby it is judged necessary to execute the variousadjustments, the case of additionally holding a priority statusindicating the priority of the factors will be described.

Note that the same parts as in the conventional example and the firstembodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols and detaileddescription thereof is omitted here.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control sequence regarding a judgementas to whether to execute a density control or not and execution thereofusing the CPU (not shown) of the printer control circuit 100 in an imageforming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention. The flowchart of FIG. 4 differs from that of FIG. 2 used inthe first embodiment in that step S272 is added.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are a conceptual diagram of a status regarding whether toexecute an adjustment or not among statuses of the printer engine 120stored in the storage device (not shown) such as a RAM inside theprinter control circuit 100.

Denoted by S33 and S34 are priority statuses indicating the priority ofthe factors in the “density control execution request-factor statusS31”.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control sequence regarding a judgementas to whether to issue an instruction to execute a density control ornot using the printer controller 110.

FIG. 7 shows a table example illustrative of a correspondence between afactor whereby it is necessary to execute the density control and afactor priority thereof.

In FIG. 4, it is judged whether to execute the density control or not insteps S261 to S268 similarly to the first embodiment. The bit is set totruth, which corresponds to the factor whereby it is necessary toexecute the density control in the “density control executionrequest-factor status S31” shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C.

In step S272, the priority of the bit set to truth in step S268 is set(updated) to the priority status S33 (or S34) shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C.

At this time, the correspondence between the factor whereby it isnecessary to execute the density control and its priority may be drawnfrom the table, as shown in FIG. 7, for instance, stored in storagemeans such as a ROM inside the printer control circuit 100 or from theother sequence.

The subsequent steps S269 to S271 are the same as in the firstembodiment.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, in step S401, the printercontroller 110 judges whether or not the notification to the effect thatit is necessary to execute the density control was received. When thenotification to that effect was received, the processing advances tostep S403; otherwise, the control sequence regarding the judgement as towhether to issue an instruction to execute the density control or not isended.

In step S403, the printer controller requests the printer controlcircuit 100 to return the “density control execution request-factorstatus S31” and receives the status.

Subsequently, in step S406, in order to acquire the priority of thefactor set to truth in the factor status S31, the controller requeststhe “density control execution request-factor priority status S33” (orS34) and receives the status.

Here, it is assumed that the user previously makes the setting regardingthe execution frequency of the various adjustments through setting onthe image quality etc., for instance.

In step S407, the controller compares the set value (predeterminedvalue) with the priority of the factor whereby it is necessary toexecute the density control, the priority of the factor being acquiredin step S406. If the priority is higher than the set value(predetermined value), the controller sends an execution instructioncommand for density control (adjustment execution command) in step S405.

Also in step S407, the priority is lower than the set value(predetermined value), the control sequence regarding a judgement as towhether to issue an instruction to execute a density control or not isended.

As described above, in this embodiment, the factor whereby it isnecessary to execute the various adjustments is notified as a statustogether with the priority statuses S33 and S34 indicating the priorityof the factors. Thus, the CPU (not shown) of the printer controller 110can make a selection as to whether to issue an instruction to executethe adjustment or not at this point. At the same time, an image formingapparatus and a control method for the same can be provided, with whichwhile satisfying the image quality at the minimum level, the adjustmentexecution frequency can be set stepwise by the user.

Note that in this embodiment, the description has been given of thejudgements as to whether to execute the density control inclusive ofdensity reproduction or not and whether or not to issue an instructionto execute the control. Needless to say, however, the same is applicableto a color component balance of a color image, color misregistrationamount (shift amount of drum phases in respective colors of the colorimage) measurement, or other adjustments.

Also, the structure concerning the factors that suggest the necessity ofthe execution of the various measurements and concerning the priority ofthe factors as described in this embodiment is only a structure exampleof the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. The above may bevaried according to the structure of the image forming apparatus towhich the present invention is applied.

Also, the setting regarding the execution frequency of the variousadjustments in this embodiment is adopted by way of example in thisembodiment but there includes the settings on the image quality or theexecution frequency of the various adjustments, which are programmed bythe user or with a host computer, the printer controller 110, or theprinter engine 120.

Also, in this embodiment, the case of judging whether to execute theadjustment of the image formation conditions or not using the conditionstatus S30, the factor statuses S31 and S32, and the priority statusesS33 and S34 has been described. However, the present invention is notexclusively limited thereto but it is possible to judge whether toexecute the adjustment or not only using the factor statuses S31 and S32and the priority statuses S33 and S34.

For example, a table showing a correspondence between the factorstatuses S31 and S32 and the required adjustments is prepared in advancein the printer controller 110 etc., so that the above can be attained.

As described above, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatusand a control method for the same, with which an adjustment forsatisfying an image quality is performed without fail while anadjustment execution frequency can be changed, for example, anunnecessary adjustment can be skipped depending on user-establishedconditions.

Hereinabove, the preset invention has been described based on theseveral preferred embodiments but is not limited to those embodiments.It would be apparent that various modifications and applications can bemade without departing from the scope of claims.

1. An image forming apparatus having a printer engine, which receives acommand from a controller that issues commands representative of aplurality of kinds of instruction, and executes an image formationaccording to the command, the printer engine comprising: a necessityjudgment unit, which judges a necessity of an adjustment of an imageformation condition based on a state of an inside of the image formingapparatus; and a control unit, which transmits to the controller arequest for executing the adjustment of the image formation conditionbased on a judgment of the necessity judgment unit, and factorinformation according to a factor of the request for executing theadjustment of the image formation condition, wherein based on therequest for executing the adjustment of the image formation condition,(i) in a case in which a factor indicated by the factor information isset to execute the adjustment of the image formation condition inadvance the controller performs an issue control of an execution commandfor instructing an execution of the adjustment of the image formationcondition, and (ii) in a case in which a factor indicated by the factorinformation is not set to execute the adjustment of the image formationcondition in advance the controller does not instruct the printer engineto execute the adjustment of the image formation condition.
 2. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unittransmits to the controller information indicating a priority of theexecution of the adjustment of the image formation condition as thefactor information, and wherein the controller compares the prioritywith a predetermined set value regarding the execution of the adjustmentof the image formation condition, and when the priority is higher thanthe predetermined set value, the controller issues the execution commandfor instructing the execution of the adjustment of the image formationcondition.
 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, whereinan image quality priority mode is selectable, and when the image qualitypriority mode is selected, the controller issues the execution commandfor instructing the execution of the adjustment of the image formationcondition based on the request for executing the adjustment of the imageformation condition regardless of the factor information.
 4. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image formationcondition includes at least one of a density of an image, a colorcomponent balance of a color image, and a color misregister of a colorimage.
 5. An image forming apparatus comprising: (a) a controller, whichissues commands representative of a plurality of kinds of instruction;and (b) a printer engine, which executes an image formation according toa command issued from the controller and which has a control unitconfigured to control an operation of the printer engine, wherein thecontrol unit of the printer engine includes: (i) a necessity judgmentunit, which judges a necessity of an adjustment of an image formationcondition based on a state of an inside of the image forming apparatus;and (ii) a transmitting unit, which transmits to the controller arequest for executing the adjustment of the image formation conditionbased on a judgment of the necessity judgment unit, and factorinformation according to a factor of the request for executing theadjustment of the image formation condition, wherein the controllerincludes a command issue control unit, and wherein, based on the requestfor executing the adjustment of the image formation condition, (i) in acase in which a factor indicated by the factor information is set toexecute the adjustment of the image formation condition in advance thecontroller performs an issue control of an execution command forinstructing an execution of the adjustment of the image formationcondition, and (ii) in a case in which a factor indicated by the factorinformation is not set to execute the adjustment of the image formationcondition in advance the controller does not instruct the printer engineto execute the adjustment of the image formation condition.
 6. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment of theimage formation condition is a density control.
 7. The image formingapparatus according to claim 5, wherein the adjustment of the imageformation condition is a density control.